OLLIE Wines may only be 20, but he's a big lump of a lad - 187cm and 94kg - and he's made a big impact since returning from a wrist injury three weeks ago. The Power has clicked into gear, and now registered two convincing wins, with Wines (33 touches, 11 clearances) best-afield last week. And it's in the midfield where the hosts should have the edge over the visiting Cats. Travis Boak, Hamish Hartlett and Brad Ebert dominated in a big win last time, and along with Wines, they will need to again to keep the scoring chances of Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson and Steve Motlop, who each booted four goals against a lacklustre Essendon last week, to a minimum. The Power still won't have Paddy Ryder (achilles) and Jackson Trengove (ankle), but hasn't missed them in the past two games.
TOMORROW

IT'S an old-fashioned first-versus-last clash, and there is unlikely to be any major upset playing out here. Fremantle has some real worries down back with Michael Johnson (hamstring) joining fellow key defenders Zac Dawson (thumb) and Alex Silvagni (hamstring) on the sidelines, but it's nothing like the injury toll Gold Coast is experiencing. That should see the Dockers bounce back from their shock first loss of the year and claim a seventh win from their past seven visits to Queensland. Charlie Dixon returns for the Suns from a club-imposed ban and will try and stretch that undermanned Freo defence. But the visitors will be far too strong in the midfield, with Nat Fyfe and co to control proceedings.

JAKE Carlisle is apparently disgruntled about having to play forward for the Bombers. Well, he may get what he wants this week, and go back, with the Eagles loading up after a loss. A bigger, stronger Jack Darling, who booted five goals last week in his comeback WAFL appearance, is set to play his first senior game for the season, rejoining Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras and Josh Hill in an attack that rivals Hawthorn's for potency. In contrast, Essendon has slotted just 15 goals in the past two weeks, Carlisle contributing one. The Bombers will hope to have skipper Jobe Watson (groin) back, otherwise things could really messy for the visitors.

FILLING in for stricken coach Brad Scott, Darren Crocker got the Roos up and about last week, winning the tackle count 91-69 against the Eagles in Hobart. North will need to bring the same intensity if it is to have any chance of beating Sydney tonight and exacting a little retribution for last year's preliminary final embarrassment. Lance Franklin (5 goals), Kurt Tippett (4) and Adam Goodes (3) were overloaded with perfect supply in that match, the Roos laying just 50 tackles. After winning 87-77 in that area in their round-four clash in Sydney earlier last year, and winning the game 91-48, the Roos have shown they can do it against top opposition. Whether they can again tonight is the big question.

SUNDAY

MAGPIES V GIANTS
At the MCG, 1.10pm
Recent record: Collingwood 3 GWS 0.
Last time: R22 2014 - Collingwood 11.9 (75) def GWS 9.13 (67) in Sydney.
Last week: Coll (110) def Melbourne (85); GWS (97) def Brisbane (67).
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GWS finally makes it on to the big stage - playing at the MCG, in front of what surely will be the biggest crowd to have watched the expansion club play. The most so far has been the 44,770 that saw them take on the Crows in Adelaide last year. With both teams at 7-3, it's a pivotal game too. Giants such as the re-signed Dylan Shiel will love the expansive G, with their run and carry highlighted by the fact they sit clear No.1 for bounces this season (154). But, after his seven-straight goals on Monday, Travis Cloke looms large again in Collingwood's attack. He didn't play last time and will be far too strong for Phil Davis or Joel Patfull, while Jamie Elliot (13 goals in three weeks) will also be a handful alongside him.

ON A big day for the club, Melbourne took it right up to Collingwood four days ago. But will the Demons be able to replicate that intent in a game between 14th and 15th? There's still plenty to motivate them - such as ending a 10-match losing streak against the Saints, who have had the wood on the Demons, even when they were headed for the wooden spoon last year. Dom Tyson (knee) would be a welcome addition to the midfield to battle David Armitage and co. But, Nick Riewoldt (12 marks, 3 goals last time) and Josh Bruce present a major challenge for the Dees' defence without the underrated Colin Garland (broken hand).